I have an 03 ZX3 which is pretty much bone stock. The focus is my daily driver and I am loving the mpg. My question is what can I do to get some performance gains out of the ZETEC without losing many mpg? I really want to hear any possible scenarios except for a motor swap(don't get me wrong I would love to put a v8 in the thing). I really appreciate any input because I am a noob to the ford community and especially the focus.

An Svt header, 2.5" flexpiper 2.5" cat back and a cold air intake would bring you about 20-22 whp and cosy you about 8-900. Best part is, your mpg will increase so long as you don't start to have a lead foot.

With the other $1000, a tune from turbo tom will help. Actually since he does free NA updates getting a tune (399 plus I think 20$ shipping) you can buy that before your mods and he usually helps tune up the car to squeeze out some power and mpg. If you have an auto he can add some aggressive shift points which I've heard nothing but good about driveability wise.

A throttle body will also help the pedal feel responsive.

Stay away from under drive pulleys there useless.

Lastly you can always get cammed and port/polish and deck your head and do some internal work. With all that you can net around 200 HP, however would cost you about 2500 altogether which then forced induction would be best.

I thought I read somewhere that you need to do some modifications to put on the SVT header? Tell me if I'm wrong or what I need to do to put one on my zetec? What throttle body and CAI do you recommend?

for the regular zetec to use the SVT header, youll need to bend or get an SVT power steering line and oil dipstick. Youll also need an SVT header to ZETEC flex pipe offroad pipe. I forget who makes it. OORR, get an SVT orp/hfc/cat and its respective flex.

CAI and throttle body are w/e you want. To reduce the chances of hydrolock (since youre in FL), Id suggest an SVT intake snorkel and box, which will allow you to reuse the stock zetec top of the filter box.

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